Endogenous Development Theory and Rural Studies in JAPAN

Abstract

This paper discusses the endogenous development theory in Japan based on the “regions”. It raises contemporary topics by reviewing empirical research in rural geography and by examining some practices in regions. The endogenous development theory has been developed as a social movement theory of municipality. However, since rural areas have been diversified, they should be taken up as places of human development. Therefore the endogenous development theory should be a forum for interdisciplinary research of “regions”.